South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Rapid City, South Dakota · Public · 79.9% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 81/100 · Strong Value
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a specialized public engineering and science university in Rapid City, enrolling 2,071 students. It earns a roiScore of 81 (Strong Value), driven by some of the strongest financial metrics among public institutions in our database. Median six-year earnings are $56,400 — well above the national median for bachelor's degree holders — and the payback period is just 5.9 years. The repayment rate is an exceptional 95.7% at three years, meaning nearly all graduates who borrowed are actively reducing their debt. In-state tuition of $10,500 and a net price of $20,183 make SDSMT affordable relative to earnings potential. Every major program tracked posts earnings above $68,000 within one year of graduation. The 53% completion rate is the one meaningful caution: while high by engineering school standards for an open-access public institution, it means nearly half of students do not graduate. Still, even graduates who transfer or leave with partial credit may benefit from the technical curriculum. SDSMT is particularly well-suited to students with strong math and science preparation who seek an applied, job-focused engineering education at a public price.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology scores in the top 25% of all schools we track, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $10,500/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $14,900/yr |
| Average net price | $20,183/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $80,732 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $72,257 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $56,400 |
| Median debt at graduation | $27,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $286 |
| Estimated payback period | 5.9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 52.9% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,071 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is $10,500/year ($14,900/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $20,183/year, or roughly $80,732 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $15,348/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $21,993/year.
The median graduate leaves with $27,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $286 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $72,257 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.48 - well within manageable territory.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,348 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,909 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,366 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,176 |
| $110,001+ | $21,993 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Low-income students at SDSMT pay a net price of $15,348 per year, or roughly $61,000 over four years. Against median six-year earnings of $56,400 — and often substantially more for engineering graduates — the payback period for this group likely falls well under the institutional average of 5.9 years. The 95.7% three-year repayment rate means that even lower-income borrowers are overwhelmingly staying current on their debt, a rare and encouraging signal.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income students ($48,001–$75,000) pay around $18,366 per year net, totaling about $73,000 over four years. Given median engineering program earnings starting above $68,000, the payback period remains well under a decade. SDSMT represents among the best financial values for middle-income students pursuing engineering, outperforming most private engineering schools at a fraction of the cost.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Higher-income students pay near the full net price of $21,993 per year — approximately $88,000 over four years. Even at full cost, SDSMT's engineering graduates recover the investment quickly. For families who can pay, SDSMT delivers engineering credentials and industry connections comparable to institutions charging two to three times as much. The primary trade-off is campus prestige and alumni network breadth compared to flagship state universities.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | $85,350 | B |
| Chemical Engineering | $90,845 | B |
| Civil Engineering | $80,613 | B |
| Industrial Engineering | $92,815 | B |
| Electrical Engineering | $94,201 | B+ |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $95,639 | B+ |
| Metallurgical Engineering | $71,985 | B |
| Mining and Mineral Engineering | $88,904 | B+ |
| Geological and Earth Sciences | $48,069 | - |
| Geological/Geophysical Engineering | $75,779 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Mining and Mineral Engineering
Mining Engineering graduates earn a one-year median of $90,514 — the highest in the institution — with four-year earnings of $88,904 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.308 (grade B+). This is a nationally rare program with strong demand from the Black Hills and Western energy sectors. Thirteen recent graduates is a small cohort, but earnings consistency is high. Students interested in commodity-driven industries should note that mining earnings can be cyclical with commodity prices.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering graduates earn $73,551 at one year and $94,201 at four years, with a below-average debt load of $22,541 and a ratio of 0.306 (grade B+). The 28-graduate cohort provides reasonable statistical confidence. Strong four-year earnings growth reflects demand from defense contractors and technology firms that actively recruit from SDSMT. This program delivers one of the best risk-adjusted returns in the portfolio.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering is the largest program with 76 graduates. One-year earnings of $69,667 grow to $85,350 at four years with median debt of $27,000 (ratio 0.388, grade B). The broad engineering credential opens doors in manufacturing, aerospace, and energy. This is the backbone of SDSMT's enrollment and represents a dependable, high-value pathway for students who complete the degree.
Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering posts $72,785 at one year and $90,845 at four years with $28,000 median debt (ratio 0.385, grade B). Forty-two graduates provide a robust sample. Chemical engineers from SDSMT serve refining, agriculture-chemical, and materials industries prevalent in the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain West. The program's strong earnings relative to modest total costs make it a high-value choice.
Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering graduates earn $68,755 at one year and $80,613 at four years with $27,388 median debt (ratio 0.398, grade B). Thirty-nine graduates anchor the dataset. Infrastructure spending driven by federal investment programs supports strong regional demand for civil engineers. Earnings growth from year one to four suggests steady advancement in project management roles.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 93.5% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 95.7% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 82.0% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 82.7% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 79.9% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 580-680 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 560-660 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 24-30 |
| Enrollment | 2,071 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 16.9% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $11,245 |
SDSMT admits about 80% of applicants, with SAT Math scores ranging from 580 to 680 and ACT composites from 24 to 30. The college expects genuine quantitative preparation — students at the bottom of the range should be confident in their math foundation before enrolling in engineering coursework. The relatively open admission reflects South Dakota's goal of building a technical workforce, but the program rigor drives a 47% non-completion rate.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Among specialized public engineering schools, SDSMT's roiScore of 81 and payback period of 5.9 years compare favorably. Its repayment rate of 95.7% is the highest in our dataset for any institution at comparable size and cost. Peers like SUNY Polytechnic Institute serve different geographic markets and program mixes. SDSMT's distinctive advantage is its concentration in high-demand technical specialties — mining, petroleum, metallurgy — that are largely unavailable at generalist institutions and command strong salary premiums.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (this school) | 81 | $20,183 | $72,257 |
| University of Connecticut-Stamford | 84 | $16,798 | $73,997 |
| SUNY Polytechnic Institute | 79 | $14,164 | $64,355 |
| Charter Oak State College | 77 | $15,815 | $64,209 |
| Dakota State University | 43 | $21,057 | $50,970 |
| Black Hills State University | 31 | $15,911 | $46,674 |
Who Thrives Here
SDSMT fits motivated students with demonstrated quantitative aptitude — ACT composite of 24–30 is the typical range — who are committed to engineering, computer science, or applied sciences. The campus culture is intensely technical and career-oriented, with strong industry ties to mining, energy, defense, and technology sectors. Students who need broad general education options, strong liberal arts programming, or a large urban campus should look elsewhere. Rural Rapid City provides a lower cost of living but fewer internship corridors than major metro areas.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $20,183 per year ($80,732 over four years), graduates earn a median of $72,257 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 5.9 years - a solid return on the investment.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $27,000 against $72,257 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.